Cologne, renowned for its majestic cathedral and vibrant cultural scene, has long been a thriving hub for art enthusiasts worldwide. At the heart of this dynamic atmosphere lies the Art Cologne, the world’s oldest art fair, which will celebrate its 58th edition from November 6 to 9, 2025.
Founded in 1967 as the “Kunstmarkt Köln” by gallerists Hein Stünke and Rudolph Zwirner, the fair pioneered the modern art fair format and remains a premier platform for gallerists, artists, and collectors to explore emerging trends and celebrate established works. Blending renowned names with rising talents, Art Cologne offers an unparalleled showcase of the diversity within the art world.
Art Cologne, November 6–9, 2025
Art Cologne 2025 promises to be a highlight of the international art calendar once again. For fans of hyperrealist painting, which captivates with its illusionistic precision and deep sensitivity to materiality and context, we highly recommend three standout booths that place this fascinating style center stage.
Galerie Friese, Berlin: Karin Kneffel and Cornelius Völker
Berlin’s Galerie Friese presents two remarkable works in Hall 11.2, Booth B 208, showcasing the breadth of hyperrealism. Karin Kneffel (*1957), a former master student of Gerhard Richter, exhibits her painting Untitled (F XXXVIII) from 1997 (180 x 360 cm [70.9 x 141.7 in]). Kneffel’s works, often inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s architecture, such as the Lange and Esters houses in Krefeld, reflect on the illusions of painting, its flatness, and its contextual dependency. Her highly complex compositions invite viewers to question the materiality and perception of images. Kneffel, who has taught at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich since 2008, excels at rendering spaces and objects with an almost tangible presence.
Also on display is Bonbons (Hearts) (2025, 60 x 80 cm [23.6 x 31.5 in]) by Cornelius Völker (*1965), a professor at the Kunstakademie Münster. Known for transforming everyday objects into layered, ambiguous images, Völker’s paintings masterfully balance abstraction and figuration. His work dissects the material essence of objects, offering viewers a delicate interplay of perception. This piece promises to captivate with its refined technique and subtle poetry.
Galerie Bene Taschen, Cologne: Charlotte Trossbach
Cologne’s Galerie Bene Taschen presents fleuri et fragile (2025, 100 x 80 cm [39.4 x 31.5 in], oil on canvas) by artist Charlotte Trossbach in Hall 11.1, Booth A 415. The Cologne-based painter draws inspiration from everyday snapshots, translating fleeting moments into the slow medium of painting. Her subjects—nail polish bottles, raindrops on a window, or a snippet from a sports broadcast—are rendered with hyperrealistic precision, particularly in their reflections and light effects, which highlight the materiality of her motifs. Trossbach’s works combine the stillness of a traditional still life with a soft, almost washed-out realism and luminous colors, capturing the understated beauty of the everyday. Exhibiting regularly since 2005, Trossbach invites viewers to rediscover the ordinary through her evocative imagery.
Galerie Andreas Binder, Munich: Yigal Ozeri
In Hall 11.1, Booth C 333, Galerie Andreas Binder showcases two new works by New York-based artist Yigal Ozeri (*1958): Su…
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